The winner of a marathon in Milwaukee, Wisc. was stripped of her title after photos showed she had an iPod on her during the race. Competitors going for US Track and Field championships and/or cash prizes are prohibited from using any electronic devices while running.

The rule has caused a great deal of controversy among runners. It was relaxed by US Track and Field officials in the last year, leaving it up to the race directors in specific competitions to decide if electronic devices are to be allowed. As a result, a two-tiered standard has emerged average runners are generally permitted to use a music player, but elite runners are not.

Jennifer Goebel, 27, got a time of 3:02:50 and came in second after the winning runner was disqualified for accepting a water bottle from a friend. She disagrees with the outcome, and says she's being unfairly singled out for a harmless act. "If they're going to disqualify me for having an iPod they should disqualify everyone who had one," she said. "It's just a little ridiculous. I went there to have a fun race with my friends."

After the original winner, Cassie Peller, was disqualified, her supporters discovered Goebel's iPod in an online photo album, and complained that Peller had been unfairly singled out by race officials, and that Goebel also deserved to be disqualified.

Goebel, for her part, said she is willing to give up the $500 prize for listening to her iPod, but feels her win should stand. "I wasn't listening to [the iPod] earlier in the race," she said. "I wasn't going to put the music on unless I thought I needed it. If you're bored, it pumps you up a little bit. Sometimes, on a long training run, I'll bring it along for the last half hour. When I run marathons sometimes I carry it and never put it on."

You would be surprised at how strict they are with what is and isn't allowed in races. I'm only in middle school cross country, and you can't have any watches, bracelets, jewelry, nothing. Even girls can only have one hair tie in their hair. It gets pretty ridiculous.

Originally Posted by lolcats1

i will pound you mercilessly with my bacon rod until your your eyes pop out.

As a Marathoner myself ... I can not live without my Ipod. However for those of you who don't know. The reason why electronic devices are not allowed is for the safety of the runners. You can not hear other runners if you have earphones in.

I myself cut one side off so I can hear ... but when your running a close race at the end you don't want to trip someone or for them to trip you.

I HATE this rule .. they should be able to do whatever they want !! The people who make this rule have never ran 13.1 (Half Marathon) or 26.2 (Full Marathon) Miles in their life.

Uhh, I just went through several of the photos trying to find the picture with her and an iPod (don't see it on the one above). While skipping through random photos, I saw two other people with headphones in.

from the FAQCan I use my Mp3 player or ipod? If you plan to compete for USATF or prize money awards you cannot wear or be assisted by any type of portable listening device. USATF Rules of Competition do not allow this. This includes talking on a cell phone during the race. Other runners may use mp3 players but are cautioned to be aware of their surroundings and other runners. ANY runner who fails to comply with the instructions of ANY race official is subject to disqualification.

The strange thing is that it's actually a burden to the runner. I've never ran more than a mile at one time, but if you have a few ounces of electronics on you and you have to propel your mass over 26 miles, those few ounces can really add up in terms of energy output. This is exactly why running shoes and attire are super lightweight (aside from the thermal factors).

My point is, she was disqualified from the race for making the race HARDER for herself, not easier.

I don't agree with it, but she damn well knew the rules before she started the race. So breaking the rules is breaking the rules. If you don't agree/accept the rules of a competition, don't take part in it.